How to Read J.A. Redmerski’s Darkwoods Trilogy in Order
For readers looking to dive into the eerie, werewolf-dominated world of J.A. Redmerski’s YA paranormal fantasy, the reading path is straightforward. The series follows a strict chronological narrative tracking seventeen-year-old Adria Dawson as she is swept into ancient prophecies and werewolf clan politics. Reading the trilogy in order of publication is the only recommended path, as each installment picks up exactly where the previous book’s cliffhanger left off.
The Darkwoods Trilogy Publication Order
The entire trilogy was originally self-published by J.A. Redmerski in 2012. To experience Adria's journey correctly, read the books in this sequence:
- The Mayfair Moon (2012)
- Kindred (2012)
- The Ballad of Aramei (2012)
Understanding the Books of The Darkwoods Trilogy
This young adult series blends dark urban fantasy with a sweeping paranormal romance. Here is a breakdown of what happens in each volume:
1. The Mayfair Moon (2012)
The story begins in the foggy town of Hallowell, Maine. After surviving a terrifying werewolf attack that claims the life of her sister, seventeen-year-old Adria Dawson is left traumatized and seeking answers. She is soon drawn to Isaac Mayfair, the enigmatic heir to a historic and powerful local family. As Adria gets closer to Isaac, she discovers the Mayfairs are at the center of a legendary werewolf bloodline. When a mysterious illness sweeps through the town, Adria is forced to confront the dark supernatural reality hiding just beneath the surface of her new home.
2. Kindred (2012)
Picking up immediately after the high-stakes events of the first novel, Kindred (sometimes subtitled The Blood Bond) raises the emotional and supernatural stakes. Adria struggles to balance her intense bond with Isaac against the heavy weight of the secrets he keeps. As their relationship is tested, Adria learns more about her own role in an ancient prophecy involving the Praverians—powerful, ancient beings whose history is deeply intertwined with the werewolf bloodlines. The threat of an impending supernatural war looms larger, forcing Adria to decide where her loyalties truly lie.
3. The Ballad of Aramei (2012)
The final book in the trilogy brings Adria’s story to a dramatic conclusion. Surrounded by betrayal and facing the ruthless ambitions of Isaac’s father, Adria must embrace her destiny to protect the people she loves. Mysteries regarding the origin of the werewolf clans and the ancient Praverian lore are fully unraveled. The novel delivers a high-stakes climax that resolves the central conflict of the trilogy, determining the fate of both Hallowell and the Mayfair clan.
Crucial Reader Advice: Availability and Author Revisions
Before you begin tracking down copies of The Darkwoods Trilogy, there are some important industry updates you should know:
- Availability Issues: J.A. Redmerski originally released these books as indie publications in 2012. After the books gained a cult following, the author announced that the trilogy was undergoing extensive edits and would be re-released under a pseudonym. She advised readers to wait for the revised versions.
- Current Status: In subsequent years, Redmerski made a personal decision to withdraw the majority of her catalog from major retail platforms. As a result, finding official new digital or physical copies of the original Darkwoods Trilogy can be highly difficult. Readers typically have to search secondhand book markets, libraries, or digital archives to find the 2012 editions.
- No Spin-offs or Sequels: The story of Adria and Isaac is self-contained within these three books. Redmerski did not write any spin-offs, companion novels, or crossovers set in the Hallowell universe. If you enjoy her writing style but want something currently in print, you might explore her bestselling contemporary romantic suspense series, In the Company of Killers (beginning with Killing Sarai), though note that it is written for an adult audience and features a much darker, non-supernatural tone.